The mesentery is a continuous fold of peritoneum that connects the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall and carries blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves that supply the bowel. On ultrasound, the mesentery is not typically prominent in healthy individuals, but it becomes visible when affected by disease. Inflamed or edematous mesentery appears as echogenic, thickened tissue surrounding the bowel, a finding sometimes described as a “misty mesentery.” Mesenteric lymph nodes can enlarge due to infection, inflammation, or malignancy. Mesenteric masses, cysts, and areas of fat necrosis can also be detected sonographically, making mesenteric evaluation an important part of abdominal ultrasound.
Sonography Term